{Normal POV}
Thanksgiving had come, and everyone was busy preparing for it. Hayden and Ashley were going to enjoy today with a quiet dinner for them and a few friends, but most of them wouldn't come until later on when dessert was served because they had their own families to spend the dinner portion with. Hayden had invited Gabriel over to join them since the man lived alone and didn't have any family to spend the holiday with, and he would be coming around 4:30-5 pm when Hayden and Ashley planned to have everything ready to eat. It had not been an easy two weeks for Hayden because this was the time of year his parents loved most. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Alas, this was Hayden's first year without them, so he'd been down in the dumps about everything. Ashley remembered the death of her father, and though it hurt her, she knew her friends had helped her mourn, and cope the entire first year without her dad in her life. That was enough for Ashley to accept things and know her dad was watching her from Valhalla. Ashley had remembered everything; she knew exactly what happened to her after her selfish mother decided to sell her to Virgil to cover the gambling debts.
Ashley had told Hayden some of what she's been through, but not in explicit detail. There were mentions of what she endured such as a few days without food, only getting water, locked in a cold cell, smacked around, molested, and raped. Ashley admitted that the rape is what broke her, and after that had been taken from her, she couldn't fight anymore because it was the worst pain she had ever felt. Ashley said that she was still hesitant and scared once it happened, she was raped several times by Virgil, and if she still refused after that then he'd let his brother, and workers have their fun with her. Of course, knowing all this made Hayden livid. Ashley informed Hayden that the rape didn't happen until she was almost eighteen, so she fought for nearly a year against everything they did to her. Most of these punishments and breaking in were being worked on in therapy now, but overall, Ashley knew that no amount of talking would ever reverse what occurred. As far as nightmares went; she still got them, but not as bad because Hayden was there to get her through them.
Ashley learned from their friends that Hayden's recent mood was because of what time of year it was. Ashley remembered that Hayden's parents were big on the holidays, so she understood this wasn't an easy time of the year for Hayden. However, Hayden and Ashley sat down to talk about things; her way of helping him through a tough time as he'd been spending most of the year doing for her. Since April 2016, Hayden had been there for her through it all, so as his best friend, she wanted to be there for him if she could. Thankfully, Hayden wasn't a shutdown kind of guy, so he let her in, and said afterward that it helped a lot. Ashley told him that she knew he kept himself busy from the pain of losing his parents by increasing his efforts to find her, but also reminded Hayden that the only way to really heal was for him to let the pain come through, and let it hurt. Ashley said it was something she was told in therapy, that you had to let something happen to know how to beat it. Ashley's example was the fact she was tortured for nearly a year, and then raped, and though she hated to remember it, the only way she could overcome it was to not ignore how much it hurt. Since then, Hayden was coming around a little and admitted that the rest of the year would be hard for him. Ashley smiled some that day and told Hayden that he could come to her anytime and she would be there to do anything she could to make him feel better.
Another thing that Hayden and Ashley did together was going to the cemetery because as it turned out; her father and his parents were buried in the same one. Ashley sat at her father's headstone while Hayden decided to give her some time with him alone. So Hayden went to see his parents, who were in the same plot; it was a twelve-foot hole that had his father down first, then his mother and their stones read the name; Haddock, then beneath that was his parent's names with their birth and death dates. Hayden actually had his funeral arrangements taken care of as well; he did it after getting the inheritance from his parents, so when he died, he'd be placed in the spot next to his mother and father, and the house would go to his children, when he had them, of course. Hayden would worry about everything else being divided up later on in life. After all, he was only twenty-one and didn't anticipate on dying anytime soon. That had been a good day for Ashley, and Hayden. After being at the cemetery, they went out to lunch together. It seemed that both of their moods were better once they'd gone to a place neither had been in a while. For Hayden; it had only been a few months, but for Ashley; it had been four years.
The time was currently 3:50 pm and the turkey was cooking away in the oven. Hayden and Ashley were working together to make everything. Although, Hayden was actually teaching Ashley how to cook because after she burnt the first pie, Hayden realized that she had no idea how to. The dragons got to enjoy the burnt pie while thankfully, Hayden had an extra set of ingredients to make another banana crème. Hayden taught Ashley how to make the entire meal, step by step. Stuffing the turkey, and watching it to know when it needed basting. There was also making the hand-mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, broccoli, bread, and the pies; Apple, Pumpkin, Banana Crème, and Cheesecake. Ashley had fun learning it all and got to spend time with Hayden too, so it was a win/win situation for her. Ashley could say that she felt like herself again, maybe not in the same way, but given she remembered everything before she was sold, and after it; she was herself. Ashley didn't know if she'd ever be the girl she once was, but that was part of growing up, right? Sure, when she was still a kid, even a teenager, she had a fearless attitude and fiery spirit; that still existed within her, but only when she needed to have it, like the situation with Stormfly that day in the park.
Ashley didn't see anything wrong with being different than how she used to be; wasn't that what happened when you've been through a lot? It changes you into the person you become because of what you endure. The past forges your future; every decision, move, and situation makes you into who you are. No matter what happened in life; she would always be Ashley Hofferson, and she would be stronger than she was because she survived the harder ordeals in her life. Hayden was the one to tell her all that, and truthfully, she felt better than she had in months after hearing it. However, now that she felt like she was, for the most part, okay mentally, and definitely healed physically, and the emotional side of things was stable, Ashley felt ready to tell Hayden that she loved him. Yes, it was much deeper than a crush or like, so why should she wait any longer than she already has? Truthfully, Ashley had been hoping that Hayden would have asked her to Junior Prom; even if they just went as friends because Ashley was going to tell him that night how she felt about him. Sadly, she never made it to the prom due to her mother's selfishness.
Likewise, Hayden planned to ask Ashley to the prom, and then she went missing. Of course, it was known now why. Hayden wanted to tell Ashley how he felt for her, but it seemed he'd never get the chance. Even now, Hayden still felt the same for Ashley, but he couldn't bring himself to tell her his feelings because he didn't know how it would go. Also, Hayden felt like he expressed how he felt that day at the Chinese restaurant, but maybe Ashley didn't catch on to what he was trying to reveal. Hayden had hoped that Ashley would understand that he was there going to be there for her in the present and future as he'd been in the past. It was Hayden's way of saying he wanted to be with her always; that he wanted to love her unconditionally if she would let him. Alas, Hayden assumed thus far that Ashley only wanted friendship with him because she didn't catch on to his confession or maybe she didn't understand what he was trying to get at without being straightforward. In either case, as long as he got to be in her life somehow, then Hayden didn't care if she realized he loved her or not.
Right now, Hayden and Ashley were watching TV and relaxing until Gabriel came over, which he should be arriving within the next ten minutes. Honestly, the moment was perfect. Hayden felt that he should just tell her that he loved her instead of dropping a hint. For Ashley; she wanted to tell him because she knew from that day she remembered everything that Hayden said he would always be with her and it meant whatever she wanted it to that he would never leave her side. Yes, Ashley had decided that she was going to tell him; the only question was how?
"I'm going to check on the turkey," Hayden said as he got up and went into the kitchen.
'How am I supposed to tell him?' Ashley thought. There was a knock on the door. "I'll get it," she called to Hayden. Ashley got up and moved to the main door, opening it to see Gabriel, and then their friends right behind. "What are you guys doing here?"
"Well, we all had early dinners at like 1 and 2 pm, so we thought to come over to see you and Hayden," Hailey smiled. "Is…that okay?"
"Um, yeah. I don't think Hayden will mind. Come on in; it's freezing outside," Ashley smiled. "Hayden! Our friends are here too!"
"Awesome," Hayden replied from the kitchen. "Are they hungry? We have plenty because it's a force of habit to cook a lot like my parents used to," he sighed a bit. Yeah, it was still hard for him. This is why Ashley thought it would cheer him up; knowing she loved him if only she could find the way tell him.
"Well, now that we've had time to recover from firsts we could do seconds. So count us in!" Travis chuckled.
"I'll add more place settings," Hayden said.
"How's he holding up?" Gabriel asked Ashley.
Ashley shrugged. "The best he's able I suppose. The only reason I made it through my first holidays without my dad is that I had my friends. I actually remember coming here for Thanksgiving that first year because my mom didn't want to do anything. I told Hayden, and he invited me over and then did the same for Christmas too. I think that's the last time I ever saw his parents and him together before I was sold,"
"And now he's gotta deal with not having either of his parents," Seth sighed.
"Well, he's got us," Devon remarked.
"And me," Ashley smiled.
"And that makes all the difference to me," Hayden stated as he walked into the living room. "You're my best friend, Ash, and you have no idea what it means to me to have you here,"
This was her chance. "Oh, I think I know because it means the same for me to have you in my life. What it means to me that you got me away from Virgil, and broke me out of the breaking in he and his employees did. You never stopped searching for me, and once you did, you paid Virgil to set me free, and you brought me home. I know this isn't my house, but my dad always told me that home is where you're happy," Ashley looked into Hayden's eyes now. "I'm happy here with you. Thank you for everything you've done to get me where I am now, and for never giving up on me,"
Hayden then did something the nobody expected; he faced Ashley, taking her hand in his, then cupping her cheek lovingly before leaning in close. "You don't give up on people you love," Hayden said before closing his eyes and pressing his lips to hers, ultimately leading to Ashley being shocked, but closing her eyes next. After a moment, Hayden pulled back with a gentle smile. "I love you. I have since Freshman Year, and I always will, Ashley. I wanted to tell you this years ago; I'd planned to ask you to Junior Prom, then tell you how I felt then, but we both know what happened to prevent that. I am your best friend, but I want to be more to you if you'll let me be?"
Ashley couldn't believe it; she said all those things to reveal her feelings to him, but Hayden had beaten her to it. Finally, Ashley intertwined her fingers with Hayden's, and she looked at him. "Let me ask you this first; do I have you no matter what?"
"I stand by what I said two weeks ago. We've been through everything together since we met in Pre-K, and we can handle anything else that gets thrown at us. Whatever that means. Whatever you want it to mean. There will always be a Hayden and Ashley. I'm with you always because you have me no matter what," Hayden said softly.
Ashley smiled now. "Then I'm with you. I love you too, Hayden, and you have me," she replied. Hayden leaned in and kissed her again. Ashley melted into it, wrapping her arms around his neck while his hands were around her waist. The friends and Gabriel could only sigh in relief that it finally happened. Hayden and Ashley finally admitted their feelings, and now they were together. Everyone had been waiting for it because they knew it was bound to happen sooner or later once the two had been reunited and were in one another's lives again.
